Summer School: ‘New Perspectives on Socialism’ (Birmingham)
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Date: Friday, 24 July 2015 – 6:00pm – Sunday, 26 July 2015 – 2:00pm
Venue: Fircroft College, 1018 Bristol Road, Birmingham B29 6LH
The principles of revolutionary socialism were formed over a hundred years ago. Then, capitalist growth was being fuelled by the technological and logistical developments following the Industrial Revolution. Since then, the history of capitalism has been marked by economic peaks and troughs, two World Wars, the rise and fall of state capitalism, massive advances in science, and widespread shifts in culture and beliefs. The Socialist Party of Great Britain argues that its original principles are still valid despite all these changes. This is because the basic structure of capitalism persists, regardless of differences in the way it is organised.
But is this right? Has society changed so much that class structure and the role of the state are significantly different now compared to the 19th and 20th centuries? What effects have these changes had on class consciousness and the likelihood of revolution? And how should revolutionary socialists respond through their theory and activity?
It’s always healthy to re-examine our beliefs, to see if they still apply to our ever-changing world. This weekend of talks and discussion will be an opportunity to take a fresh look at several important aspects of the socialist viewpoint.
Full residential cost (including accommodation and meals Friday evening to Sunday afternoon) is £80. The concessionary rate is £40. Day visitors are welcome, but please book in advance.
To book a place online click here, or send a cheque (payable to the Socialist Party of Great Britain) to Summer School, Sutton Farm, Aldborough, Boroughbridge, York, YO51 9ER.
E-mail spgbschool@yahoo.co.uk with any enquiries.
Summer school's sessions have now all been confirmed, and here they are… Friday evening: As A Marxist, Frankly, I’m Skeptical – a talk by Simon Wigley Saturday morning: The X Factor: Revolutionary Political Consciousness – a talk by Brian Gardner Saturday afternoon: The Argument Clinic: Logical Fallacies and Cognitive Biases. How thinking about thinking can help give new perspectives to old arguments – a workshop with Darren Poynton Saturday afternoon: Revolutionary Action – a talk by Johnny Mercer Saturday evening: Gaming the Revolution – a game run by Bill Martin Sunday morning: Imagine a Boot Stamping on a Human Face, or Givin’ it Str8 on da St8: Socialism and the State in the 21st Century – a talk by Steve ClaytonMore details about the sessions (and other things going on) will be announced soon. In the meantime, please feel free to start the discussion on any of the topics.
Are there plans to issue a brochure, for general distribution before Summer School, outlining the content of the sessions?
Good idea! I'll see what I can come up with. Either way, more details of the sessions will be publicised in the next few weeks.
Here are some details of Steve Clayton's talk:Imagine a Boot Stamping on a Human Face, or Givin' it Str8 on da St8: Socialism and the State in the 21st CenturyThis presentation will look at the 19th Century Marxist and Anarchist definitions of the State, and their relevance today, the rise and fall of state capitalism in the 20th Century, the changing role of the State, the Working Class and the Capitalist State, the State in the era of Neo-Liberalism, and the rise of the Super Surveillance State. What effect have these changes had on the likelihood of revolution?
Here are details of Bill Martin's session 'Gaming the Revolution':The format of this event is a game to look at different possible scenarios and simulate a possible revolutionary situation. Players will compete for points (and prizes), as they try to get to Socialism. Participants will be split into teams representing branches with different priorities, and asked to make a series of decisions that could alter the fate of all humanity.
The exclusive publication for this year's summer school is taking shape. It's a collection of especially-commissioned and illustrated articles on the 'new perspectives on socialism' theme. Copies are free to all attendees.
Mike, wouldn't it be also a good idea to perhaps adapt it into a short pamphlet suitable for non-attendees. Wasn't one of our past pamphlets 'Marxism Revisited' based on Fircroft talks. I'm sure there will be people from the publications committee at the school for you to broach the possibilities of such. …I'm a bit uncomfortable that other members are going to be deprived of something which may be of use to them just as much as those who go to the school and get this as an extra additional freebie….
Glad to see the publication's sparked some interest! I'll be printing a few more copies than there will be attendees, so it will be available after summer school. The best way to avoid being "deprived" of it is to come along to summer school and pick up a hot-of-the-press copy there! It's intentionally not an official SPGB publication, though, which has allowed its contributors a wider remit than those writing for the Standard, for example.There hasn't been a publication of summer school talks in recent years because not enough of the talks have lent themselves to written essays. Some of the speakers have been able to give a great talk with only a few brief notes, while many talks use films and slides as much as text . All the talks have been recorded and are available to listen to on the website, and some have been written up as articles in the Standard.
Darren Poynton introduces his workshop session:The Argument Clinic: Logical Fallacies and Cognitive biases. How thinking about thinking can help give new perspective to old arguments.Man: Is this the right room for an argument?Other Man: I've told you once.Man: No you haven't!Other Man: Yes I have.M: When?O: Just now.M: No you didn't!O: Yes I did!M: You didn't!O: I did!M: You didn't!O: I'm telling you, I did!M: You did not!By ‘argument’ we do not mean the heated exchange of contraries a la Monty Python but instead a series of statements constructed in a particular way in order to gain support for a particular conclusion. In this crash course we will look at the basic structure of an argument, some of the common ways in which things go wrong and then we will consider some of the conclusions from behavioural science concerning the ‘predictably irrational’ mistakes we all make in our thinking and decision making. If you want to find out why ‘reductio ad hitlerum’ doesn’t always win the argument, or why the ‘confirmation bias’ is the mother of all misconceptions, a visit to the argument clinic may be just what you need.
Here's an introduction to Johnny Mercer's talk:Revolutionary ActivityAs socialists we do not believe that using the ballot to wrest state power from the capitalist class is by any means the sole revolutionary activity – although we do advocate use of the ballot box, it is widely held in the SPGB that most revolutionary action will be extra-parliamentary, in workplaces and communities. However, we rarely take the time to consider what these extra-parliamentary means might be. For example, do we support workers councils, class-wide unions like the IWW, or something else? Consideration of extra-parliamentary action raises again the question of reformism. It has long been argued that a socialist party must aim solely for socialism or risk being bogged down in reformism. But just because the SPGB needs to maintain purity in the political sphere does that mean that individual members ought not to engage in direct action outside of this sphere? Marx said “When communist workmen gather together, their immediate aim is instruction, propaganda, etc. But at the same time, they acquire a new need – the need for society – and what appears as a means had become an end … The brotherhood of man is not a hollow phrase, it is a reality, and the nobility of man shines forth upon us from their work-worn figures”. Can direct, collective action raise class-consciousness and give us a glimpse of unalienated social activity?
Mike Foster wrote:Here's an introduction to Johnny Mercer's talk:Revolutionary ActivityAs socialists we do not believe that using the ballot to wrest state power from the capitalist class is by any means the sole revolutionary activity – although we do advocate use of the ballot box, it is widely held in the SPGB that most revolutionary action will be extra-parliamentary, in workplaces and communities. However, we rarely take the time to consider what these extra-parliamentary means might be.That's not surprising is it? Since 'extra-pariamentary activity was exhausted in 1904 which is why we were formed' Taking over the state is the only revolutionary activity open to us. 'Wrest state power from the capitalist class' is why we exist and is our sole revolutionary activity' If you can think of another activity then let me know
Seems I am doomed to not make summer school again this year.unfortunately our present foster baby begins his handover to his new family next week
Mike Foster wrote:Here's an introduction to Johnny Mercer's talk:Revolutionary ActivityAs socialists we do not believe that using the ballot to wrest state power from the capitalist class is by any means the sole revolutionary activity – although we do advocate use of the ballot box, it is widely held in the SPGB that most revolutionary action will be extra-parliamentary, in workplaces and communities. However, we rarely take the time to consider what these extra-parliamentary means might be. For example, do we support workers councils, class-wide unions like the IWW, or something else? Consideration of extra-parliamentary action raises again the question of reformism. It has long been argued that a socialist party must aim solely for socialism or risk being bogged down in reformism. But just because the SPGB needs to maintain purity in the political sphere does that mean that individual members ought not to engage in direct action outside of this sphere? Marx said “When communist workmen gather together, their immediate aim is instruction, propaganda, etc. But at the same time, they acquire a new need – the need for society – and what appears as a means had become an end … The brotherhood of man is not a hollow phrase, it is a reality, and the nobility of man shines forth upon us from their work-worn figures”. Can direct, collective action raise class-consciousness and give us a glimpse of unalienated social activity?"maintain purity in the political sphere" I don't mean to be rude but that's just embarrassing to come from a party member. That wording is just echoing the worst sort of caricature that has been flung against us by our political enemies for over a century. If it was meant to be provocative I'm certainly provoked. And the first part I've bolded is just empty phrasemongering.
Wasn't this the argument of WSPUS in the 1950s?http://spgb-forum-journal.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/the-ballot-and-socialism.html
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